I watched Jamie Oliver's Christmas special tonight on the Food Network, and he made the most wonderful dessert bombe with chunks of glace fruit as one of the ingredients. He had a whole glace clementine, and a piece of glace honeydew melon. I've seen the candied fruit at Bulk Barn and John Vince, and that sure isn't the stuff Jamie had. The fruit he had just glowed like beautiful jewels. I'm wondering where or if I can find the same quality of glace fruit in TO. Anyone out there know where to get this product?

My sister is flying to San Jose tomorrow morning, and would like to be able to make her in-laws the Canadian "Bloody Caesars" that they enjoyed while visiting her this summer. Is there anywhere she can get Clamato juice? Whole Foods? Or while she have to make her own?

You assessment is pretty much what I thought it would be. Thanks for the advise. Any suggestions on restaurants for dinner? We're looking at some moderately priced places for dinner, and will be hitting the higher priced places for lunch or brunch. Thanks again.

I'm planning a trip to NYC around seeing (hearing) Kurt Elling at Birdland. I'm coming in from Toronto, and a friend is joining me from West Palm Beach. We like food, and are kinda fussy, and I can't find any reviews of Birdland's chow. This doesn't bode well, but it would be so convenient to order at least some appetizers while we enjoy the event.

Can anyone give me a hint as to whether ti would be a disaster or acceptable or pretty good?

Hi. Sorry for the late response, but I've been working day and night. Did you see the post about Port Union Road? I didn't think that was in Scarborough, but that might be closer for you than Markham Rd. I haven't even started my baking yet, so I haven't gone out to the Dominion at Don Mills and Lawrence to see if they have it. If I find it there I'll let you know. But tarts are low down on my priorities right now. Merry Christmas!

If you can find a Bulk Barn, they sell hazelnuts too. Or John Vince, but I think the only store is in the Dufferin/Finch area. There's a JV store on St. Clair, I think near Dufferin, that used to be a John Vince and they still sell bulk products, so you could try there.

I've seen this product recommended but I don't know if you can buy it anywhere in Toronto. If anyone has found it, please let me know which store. I usually make pastry for mince tarts at Christmas, but I'm not going to have time this year. I know I can just buy the frozen tart shells, but I heard this product was better than frozen. Plus I can manage to cut out the little Christmas tree toppers for my tarts if it's rolled pastry. No lids with the frozen unless I prise a few of the shells out of their tins, which I would rather not have to do.

At a roadside restaurant in Tuscany, out in the sunshine on a stone patio, surrounded by olive trees. Gnocchi that were heaven. We were the only customers for a late lunch, and the restaurant stayed open just to feed us.

My current drink of choice:

Lichee Martinis

I really wish I could:

Have a bigger kitchen

My "Go-to" dinner party dish:

A shrimp Indian dish that I don't even know the name of

My favorite comfort food:

Pasta with rapini and pancetta

My top 5 favorite restaurants:

Bymark, Celestine , The Corner House, Five Doors North, Terroni

My most tattered cookbooks:

Silver Palate (all of them), the barefoot contessa (all of them), The Way to Cook (Julia), The Best of Bugialli